Steel Mills

AISI: Raw steel production rises to 4-week high

November 25, 2024

Domestic raw steel mill production increased to a four-week high last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). While up, production remains near one of the lowest rates recorded this year.

US mills produced an estimated 1,655,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Nov. 23. Output rose by 32,000 st, or 2.0%, from the prior week. Recall that just over a month ago, production declined to a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1).

Total mill output last week was 3.0% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,706,000 st. Production is 1.9% less than the same week last year when mill output totaled 1,687,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 74.5%. This is up from 73.1% the week prior and also up from 73.4% this time last year.

Year-to-date production now totals 79,038,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 75.9%. This volume is 2.1% less than the same period of last year, when 80,735,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.1%.

Weekly production by region is as follows (weekly changes shown in parentheses):

Northeast – 125,000 st (up 5,000 st)
Great Lakes – 570,000 st (down 13,000 st)
Midwest – 213,000 st (up 13,000 st)
South – 694,000 st (up 25,000 st)
West – 53,000 st (up 2,000 st)

Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.